Tassels Turned At Brennan-Rogers

Evangeline Davila turned her tassel with 32 other eighth graders, in what marked her official graduation from Brennan-Rogers Magnet School on Tuesday morning.

The West Rock school’s gymnasium was filled with a sea of balloons, decorated caps, and flowers as students crossed the stage.

“The goofiness,” Evangeline said when asked what her favorite thing was about her experience at the Wilmot Road school. 

Evangeline’s mother said she’s nervous about high school, but excited that the middle school chapter has closed for Evangeline.

Guest speaker New Haven Fire Department Capt. Troy Frost took to the stage to share a message of self love and discuss the increased responsibility and freedom the soon-to-be high school freshmen would experience. He explained that high school will move fast, and the best thing the students can do is hold themselves accountable.

“Look in the mirror. You have to love that person in the mirror, and do the best you can for that person in the mirror,” he said.

Tracy Peterson, a teacher at Brennan-Rogers, was then asked to come on stage in recognition for her dedication to her students. She beamed as she received flowers from faculty.

Eighth-grade speakers then took to the stage, after being nominated by their classmates.

Eighth-grade speaker Joseph Badillo spoke of how the faculty and students were there for each other at Brennan-Rogers, and the sense of community he felt there.

Fellow middle school graduate Jessalyn Vargas, in contrast, spoke about how not everyone is a friend, and students must choose themselves first. She also emphasized the importance of being held accountable, and that challenges only made her stronger. 

“I have learned that taking accountability and being honest with myself is the key to doing better,” Vargas said. 

Vargas then thanked her teachers, her family, and her brother Javeon, who was not able to be at Tuesday’s ceremony. 

The eighth graders then received their graduation certificates one by one, before turning their tassels and officially completing their education at Brennan-Rogers.

Anthony Tuozzola, an eighth-grade graduate, said he is most excited to study history in high school. He advised incoming students at Brennan-Rogers to stay out of trouble.